Much of my research focuses on underlying processes in attitudes and persuasion. I propose that subjective perceptions versus structural properties of attitudes differ in their consequences and origins. For example, I have examined how subjective perceptions of affective-cognitive attitudinal bases (i.e., meta-bases) versus objective indicators of such bases (i.e., structural bases) influence message tailoring effects in persuasion.

I am also interested in intergroup attitudes under conditions of threat and anxiety. Some of my research has explored individuals' attitudes and behavior toward ingroup and outgroup targets when their mortality is salient or when they perceive that social mobility is low.